All four of Port Lincoln’s hockey teams are ready to go for the start of the 2017 season with the senior grades to begin at Ravendale on April 28.

In men’s and women’s matches across all grades Panthers will face Marauders while it will be a rematch of last year’s A grade men’s final with Flinders facing Marauders.

Flinders

The reigning premiers in men’s and women’s A grade, Flinders is full of confidence for the season ahead.

The women’s side will field some big names this year with Erin Saunders back after representing Australia and Hayley Kennedy among those to watch, while Mel O’Donnell is currently playing hockey at the World Masters Games in Auckland.

For the men Sam Vanderwal is returning after a knee injury last season, goalkeeper Ryan Kennedy will step up after also representing Australia and young players Matt Kennedy, Tom Roberts and Connor Haines will look to step up.

Flinders look hard to beat across all senior grades as its teams further perfect their game plans and look to fire on all cylinders come finals time.

Marauders

Marauders came close to an A grade men’s premiership last season but fell at the last hurdle against Flinders.

While its current senior numbers aren’t confirmed, a number of exciting players will don the Marauders green in 2017.

For the women the Hill girls Jaz and Bonnie to play a big role while in the men’s team Felix Trebilcock, Gabe Cox and Cameron Hosking will be ones to watch, as well as Jordan Ambrose who has represented South Australia many times.

Marauders are looking for more junior players to join but is confident of being able to match with the senior grades in 2017, hopefully go one better in the men’s A grade.

Panthers

Panthers had a lot of success in the junior grades in 2016 and is hoping for more senior success in 2017.

A number of A grade men’s and women’s players have retired to the B grade and a number of B grade players are stepping up to fill those roles.

For the women’s team there is a lot of confidence behind new goalkeeper Estie Meyer-Stander while the mens’ team has welcomed back three big names in Jerry Williams, Lachlan McKinnon and Jesse Malone who bring youth and speed into the team.

The team is confident Panthers can be competitive across all grades and up around the mark again in the A grade men’s competition.

Wanderers

Wanderers managed to win the B grade men’s premiership in 2016 but is hoping for even more in its 50th anniversary year.

There is plenty of confidence in the two women’s senior teams with Jodie Hamilton-Reid and Jill Eime looking to stand out and Simone Stockham is also back in the side as the A grade looks to go one better from last year.

The Wanderer men will look to build on the B grade success of last season and with players including Lochie Fitzpatrick, Matt Stockham and David Probert they are a real chance.

Assisting the Wanderers is a list of talented young players coming up from the junior ranks so Wanderers could make this an anniversary year to remember.